Collapsible garment form



May 15, 1956 B. WEXLER ET AL 2,745,578

COLLAPSIBLE GARMENT FORM Filed Jan. 7, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l BENoFmm WEXkEK BY HRvm c. wExLER XQ M May 15, 1956 wEXLER ETAL 2,745,578

COLLAPSIBLE GARMENT FORM Filed Jan. '7, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BEN-)Hmm WEXLE BY MHRYIH C-WEXLEK ATTORNEY May 15, 1956 w x ETAL COLLAPSIBLE GARMENT FORM 3 Sheets-Sheer. 3

Filed Jan. '7, 1955 INVENTOR. HOHMIH WEXLER BY MPIRYIN QWEXLER United States Fatent COLLAPSIBLE GARMENT FORM Benjamin Wexier and Miarvin C. Wexler, Phiiadelphia, Pa.

Application January 7, 1955, Serial No. 488,449

8 Claims. (Cl. 223-58) This invention relates generally to garment forms and is concerned more particularly with an improved construction for garment forms that may be collapsed to serve as hangers.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide such a garment form with means automatically operative when the form is collapsed to quick relea'sably secure the same against expansion.

Other objects of the present invention are to simplify the construction of the back of such a garment form and at the same time to provide more substantial means for mounting the member that fills out the upper back area.

Further objects of the present invention, including the provision of a form of the character aforesaid which is simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use, will appear more fully hereinafter, it being understood that the present invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as described in detail hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawings and as finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which are illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure l is a perspective view looking at the back and bottom of a garment form embodying the present invention, some of the fabric being broken away to expose part of the expanded frame structure;

Figure 2 is a front view of the frame structure of the garment form shown in Figure l, the fabric being omitted;

Figure 3 is a top view of the frame structure of the garment form as shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the garment form shown in Figure l, the fabric being shown in section to expose the frame structure;

Figure 5 is the same as Figure 4, but the garment form is shown in collapsed condition and a part only of the fabric is shown;

Figures 6, 7 and 8 respectively are enlarged sectional views taken on lines 6-6, 7-7 and 8-8 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 99 of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a horizontal section taken on line Ill-10 of Figure 9;

Figure ll is the same as Figure 9, but the parts are shown in the relative positions which they assumed when the garment form is in collapsed condition;

Figure 12 is a horizontal section taken on line 12--12 of Figure ll; and

Figure 13 is a vertical section taken on line 13-13 of Figure 9.

Referring to the drawings, the garment form embodying the present invention closely resembles in shape the trunk of the human body and comprises an open frame structure, designated generally by the numeral 10, and a fabric covering 11. The frame structure 10 includes a main section 12 which extends from the top to the bottom and from the right to the left side thereof.

Extending across the bottom of the main section 12 Patented May 15, 1956 and upwardly therefrom along its opposite sides to the shoulder line is a continuous generally U-shaped rigid member 13 which is made of channel stock provided with a web 14 connecting a pair of legs 15-15 which extend outwardly. Suitably connected respectively to the corresponding opposite side terminal portions of the member 13, as by straps 1616 and rivets 17, are a pair of comparatively narrow shoulder plates 1818 that are suitably curved in transverse cross section and that sweep inwardly and upwardly toward one another along the shoulder line. The inner end portions of the shoulder plates 1818 are suitably connected respectively to the opposite sides of a rigid frame part 19, as by turned down tabs 2020 and rivets 21. Extending across the top of the rigid frame part 19 and downwardly therefrom along its opposite sides is a continuous generally U-shaped rigid member 22 which is made of fiat strap stock. The corresponding opposite side terminal portions of the member 22 are turned inwardly toward one another, as at 2323, and are connected together through the medium of rivets 24 and a rigid member 25 that is made of channel stock provided with a web 26 joining a pair of legs 27--27 which extend downwardly.

The frame structure 10 also includes auxiliary sections 28, 29 and 36 located in front of the main frame section 12 respectively at the bust, waist and hip lines, and additionally auxiliary sections 31 and 32 located at the rear of the main frame section 12 respectively at the waist and hip lines.

The auxiliary section 28 comprises a round tubular member 33 which generally is C-shaped and more particularly is curved to outline the bust of the human body. The opposite end portions of the member 33 respectively have secured therein pivot pins 3434, the free end portions of which are coaxially related and turned inwardly toward one another and projected respectively into opposite end portions of a square tubular connecting member 35, being immovably secured therein by any suitable means. The auxiliary section 23 is mounted upon the main section 12 through the medium of a pair of plate members 3636 secured, as by rivets 37, to opposed opposite side portions of the U-shaped frame member 13, through which pair of plates the pivot pins 3434 respectively project freely, there being interposed between each plate member 36 and the opposed end portions of the member 35 a washer 37'. When the auxiliary frame 28 is mounted as just described, the square tubular members 35 of the auxiliary section 28 is disposed slightly in advance of the main section 12.

The auxiliary folding frame sections 29, 30, 31 and 32 are constructed and mounted on the main section 12 generally in the same manner as just described for the auxiliary section 28. It should be noted, however, that the body outlining members designated 38, 39, 40 and 41 respectively of the auxiliary sections 29, 30, 31 and 32 each conform in outline to a different particular part of the human body. In addition, the square tubular members designated 42 and 43 respectively of the auxiliary sections 29 and 30, like the square tubular member 35 of the auxiliary section 28, are disposed slightly in advance of the main section 12, while the square tubular members designated 44 and 45 respectively of the auxiliary folding frame sections 31 and 32 are disposed slightly to the rear of the main section 12.

The frame structure 10 is provided with another auxiliary section, indicated generally by the numeral 46, lo cated to the rear of the main section 12, which includes a plate 47 that extends horizontally fully across the back of the garment form and vertically from a line across the base of the neck downwardly to a line across the lower tips of the shoulder blades, being appropriately shaped to conform with the contours of the human bov in this area.

47 is a U-shaped bracket 48 which is made of flat strap steel: and which has a part 49 connecting a pair of legs 59-59. The brac et is rigidly connected to the back plate 47, as by rivets 51, with the legs Ell-t extending inwardly from the back plate 47. Disposed side abutting relation respectively to the legs 50-59 of the U-shaped bracket 4-8, and rigidly secured thereto as by rivets 52, are corresponding terminal portions of a pair of arms in the form of plates 53-53 which extend laterally from the legs Ell-5i in the same direction and parallel. to one another. The corresponding opposite end terminal portions of the arms 53-53 project into the rigid frame part 19 and are disposed respectively in side abutting relation to the vertically extending legs of the member 22 designated SA -54, being secured respectively thereto through the medium of coaxially related pivots 55-55.

The frame structure 10 is provided with still another auxiliary section, indicated generally by the numeral 56, located in front of the main section 12, which includes a plate 57 that extends horizontally fully across the front of the form and vertically from a line across the base of the neck downwardly to a line across the chest, being appropriately shaped to conform with the contours of the human body in this area. On the inner side of the chest plate 57 is a U-shaped bracket 58 which is made of fiat strap stock and which has a part 59 connecting a pair of legs 69-60. The bracket is rigidly connected to the chest plate 57, as by rivets 61, Wllhlhd legs 69-69% extending inwardly from the chest plate 57. Disposed in side abutting relation respectively to the legs 69-63 of the U-shaped bracket 58, and rigidly secured thereto as by rivets 62, are corresponding terminal portions of a pair of arms that are in the form of plates 63-63 which extend laterally from the legs -60 in the same direction and parallel to one another. The corresponding opposite end terminal portions of the arms'63-63 project through the rigid frame part 19 and are disposed respectively in spaced relation to the vertical legs 54-54 of the member 22, being rigidly secured together by a pivot rod 54 which is freely projected through a square actuating rod designated 65 extending centrally lengthwise of the main section 12.

The lower terminal of the actuating rod 65 is slidably projected through the transversely extending part of the rigid frame member 13 designated 66, and an upper end portion of the rod 65 is slidably projected through the member 25 and extends well up into the rigid frame part 19. The rod '65 carries a set of three pins 67 Which, as shown particularly in Figure 2, are disposed respectively above the hip, waist and bust lines and are projected through the rod 65, the opposite end portions of the pins being fully exposed.

The rod 65 is connected with the auxiliary sections 28 through 32 through the medium of the set of pins 67 and a set of plates as that are carried respectively by the auxiliary sections aforesaid. Terminal portions of the pins 67 are freely projected respectively through elongated openings 6ll formed in corresponding end portions of the plate members 63, the corresponding opposite end portions of the plate members 68 being rigidly attached respectively to the square tubular members of the auxiliary sections, intermediate the ends thereof.

For connecting the auxiliary section 46 to the rod 65, the rod 65 is provided with a cross member 7% that is projected through the rod 55 and secured against movement relative thereto. The cross member 7%) is disposed in underlying spaced relation to the axis of the pivots 55-55 and is freely disposed between the vertical legs 54-54 of the rigid frame part 19, the Opp site end terminal portions thereof being projected respectively into elongated openings designated 71-71 formed in the arms 53-53 that are disposed in side abutting relation to the vertical legs 54-5 aforesaid. Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 8, the cross member 70 extends a through the elongated openings 71-71 at the ends of the openings 71-71 least remote from the pivots 55-55, the openings 71-71 extending therefrom downwardly and rearwardly.

For connecting the auxiliary section 56 to the rigid frame part 19, the oppo 'te end portions of a rod 72 are freely projected res vely through corresponding laterally extending portions of the arms disposed respectively in spaced relation to the vertical legs 54-54 of the rigid frame part 19, a pair of spacer elements 73-73 and corresponding portions of the vertical legs 54-54 aforesaid. To secure the rod 72 against axial displacement, the opposite end portions thereof are fitted with cotter pins '74 74. Referring particularly to Figure 8, the openings 7 l'-74 in the arms ss s3 through which the rod 72 projects are srcuately shaped, extending generally forwardly and upwardly from the rod 72 toward the pivot rod 64.

For biasing the rod 65 upwardly, a coil compressing spring 75 is wrapped thereabou, the lower end of the coil spring 75 being seated upon the member 25 of the rigid frame part It? and the upper end of the coil spring 75 being engaged with the opposite end portions of a pin 76 projected through the rod Covering an upper section of the rear face of the rigid frame part 19 is a plate member 7'7 which is secured to the top of the rigid frame part 19, as by flange '73 and screws 7). Referring particularly to es 9, 11 and 13, a lever 8b is carried by the plate me. her 77, being pivotally secured to the latter at 81. The lever St extends upwardly from the pivot from the right side to the left side of the actuating rod over the upper terminal portion of the latter. The lower end portion of the lever So is disposed on the inner side of the plate member 77, and the upper end portion of the lever 89 is disposed on the outer side of the plate member 77. The portions aforesaid of the lever 8t; are joined together by a laterally extending portion which is projected through an arcuate slot 62 formed in the plate member 77. The upper end of the lever 39 is provided with a laterally extending finger piece 53 disposed well above the rigid frame part 29, where it is fully exposed to View. The lever Si is biased toward the upper end of the arcuate slot 82 by a coil tension spring that has one end secured to the lower portion of the lever 86 and the opposite end anchored to the plate member 77. Extending laterally from the lower portion of the lever 89 is a projection having a rounded downwardly presenting cam face 36 which engages the upper extremity of the actuating rod 65 and limits the move ment thereof upward.

Covering an upper section of the front face of the rigid frame part 19 is a plate member 87 which is secured to the top of the rigid frame part 19, as by a flange 88 and screws 8?. Guide clips, designated 9*? and 9i, for the actuating rod 65 are carried by the plate member 37, being secured to the inner side thereof by screws 92.

Anchored to the left side of the rigid frame part 1-9, as by a terminal portion 93 and rivets 94, is a leaf spring 95 Which extends along the inner side of the plate member 87 and through a recess 96 formed in the terminal portion of the actuating rod 65. The leaf spring 95 is resiliently biased firmly against the rod 65 and terminates on the right side of the rod 65 at a fully exposed button )7 that extends freely through an opening in the plate member 77.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and. 4, the garment form is in expanded condition, and the fabric ll covering the frame structure it) closely resembles in shape the truni;

of the human body. The actuating rod 65 is in raised position, being biased by the coil spring 75 against the cam face 86 of the lever 8%, which lever is raised to the limit of the arcuate slot 32 in the plate member '77 When it is desired to collapse the garment form, the lever 80 is depressed (against the force of the tension spring 84) from the full line to the dotted line position thereof shown in Figure 11, whereupon the rod 65 is cammed downwardly (against the force of the compression spring 75). The pivot 81, cam face 86 and finger piece 83 are arranged so as to afford a distinct mechanical advantage in the operation of the lever 80. To further facilitate operation of the lever 80, a suitable finger strap 99 is rigidly secured to the upper left hand side of the rigid frame part 19.

When the rod 65 is cammed downwardly as aforesaid, the several pins 67, of course, move downwardly too, in consequence of which the several plates 68 swing downwardly respectively about the axes of the square tubular members upon which they are mounted and the auxiliary sections 28 through 32 swing upwardly respectively about the axes aforesaid, the elongated openings 69 formed in the plates 68 being provided for the purpose of securing the moving parts against binding. The cross member 71 also moves downwardly with the rod 65, in consequence of which auxiliary section 46 swings downwardly about the axis of the pivots 55-55 as the cross member 70 travels in the elongated openings 71-7l. Furthermore, the pivot rod 64 moves downwardly with the actuating rod 65, in consequence of which the auxiliary section 56 swings downwardly about the axis of the pivot rod 64 as the position of the arcuately shaped openings 74' changes relative to the positionally fixed rod 72. When the garment form is fully collapsed, the auxiliary sections 29 through 32 and 46 and 56 are folded against the main section 12, and the auxiliary section 28 is folded against the auxiliary section 56, as shown in Figure 5. It will be observed that the lower end of the auxiliary section 46 extends forwardly through the main section 12 and is disposed only a short distance above the bust line.

As the rod 65 reaches the limit of its downward movement, the leaf spring 95, which is biased against the rod 65, is released, in consequence of which it shifts from its position shown in Figure to that shown in Figure 12, wherein it is shown extending across the end of the rod 65. It will be apparent that the spring 95 is automaticail operative to secure the rod 65 against moving upwardly under the influence of the coil spring 75. The lever 89 is provided with a pin 10%) which projects freely through an opening 191 in the plate member 87, and which is operative to stabilize the lever Si). After the garment form has collapsed and the lever 89 is released, the latter immediately returns to its initial position under the influence of the coil spring 34. For hanging the garment form, a suitable hook 161' is provided.

When it is desired to expand the garment form again,

the button 97 on the end of the leaf spring 95 is pressed,

whereupon the leaf spring 95 returns to its initial position against the inner face of the plate member 87, out of the way of the rod 65, in consequence of which the rod 65 is quick released and the coil spring 75 immediately expands and raises the rod 65, the auxiliary sections 28 through 32 swing downwardly and the auxiliary sections 46 and 56 swing upwardly, each to its initial position.

It will be observed that the number of auxiliary sections in the back of the garment form is reduced to an absolute minimum, none being employed at the bust line. In addition, the auxiliary section 46 is supported on a pair of widely spaced pivots 5555, which heavily favors greater stability.

It will be understood, of course, that the present invention is susceptible of various changes and modifications which may be made from time to time without departing from the general principles or real spirit thereof, and it is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. In a collapsible garment form, a frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending main section extending from the right side to the left side of the form, a plurality of auxiliary sections carried by said main section and operatively connected thereto for swinging movement between folded and expanded positions, said auxiliary sections being disposed compactly against said main section when in the former of said positions, and being operative conjointly with said main section to outline the trunk of the human body when in the latter of said positions, one of said auxiliary sections located at the upper end of the form and to the rear of said main section being provided with an outer surface conforming in shape to the upper back area of the human body, said one auxiliary section and a next adjacent underlying auxiliary section located at the waist line being conjointly operative to determine the shape of the entire back area of the form above the waist line, an elongated member carried by said main section and mounted for axial shifting movement relative thereto, said shiftable member being connected to said auxiliary sections and being operable to simultaneously swing the same between said folded and expanded positions, and spring means associated with said shiftable member and operative to urge the same into such position relative to said main section as to maintain said auxiliary sections in fully expanded condition.

2. In a collapsible garment form, a frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending open main section extending from the right side to the left side of the form, a plurality of auxiliary sections carried by said open main section and operatively connected thereto for swinging movement between folded and expanded positions, said auxiliary sections being disposed compactly against said open main section when in the former of said positions, and being operative conjointly with said open main section to outline the trunk of the human body when in the latter of said positions, one of said auxiliary sections located at the upper end of the form and to the rear of said main section being provided with an outer surface conforming in shape to the upper back area of the human body and when compactly folded as aforesaid having its lower terminal portion projected forwardly through said open main section and disposed at a level relatively close to the bust line, said one auxiliary section and a next adjacent underlying auxiliary section located at the waist line being conjointly operative to determine the shape of the entire back area of the form above the waist line, an elongated member carried by said open main section and mounted for axial shifting movement relative thereto, said shiftable member being connected to said auxiliary sections and being operable to simultaneously swing the same between said folded and expanded positions, and spring means associated with said shiftable member and operative to urge the same into such position relative to said open main section as to maintain said auxiliary sections in fully expanded condition.

3. In a collapsible garment form, a frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending main section extending from the right side to the left side of the form, a plurality of auxiliary sections carried by said main section and operatively connected thereto for swinging movement between folded and expanded positions, said auxiliary sections being disposed compactly against said main section when in the former of said positions, and being operative conjointly with said main section to outline the trunk of the human body when in the latter of said positions, one of said auxiliary sections located at the upper end of the form and to the rear of said main section being provided with an outer surface conforming in shape to the upper back area of the human body and being secured directly to said main section by coaxially related pivot means at widely spaced locations, said one auxiliary section and a next adjacent underlying auxiliary section located at the waist line being conjointly operative to determine the shape of the entire back area of the form above the waist line, an elongated member carried by said main section and mounted for axial shifting movement relative thereto, said shiftable member being connected to said auxiliary sections and being operable to simultaneously swing the same between said folded and expanded positions, and spring means associated with said shiftable member and operative to urge the same into such position relative to said main section as to maintain said auxiliary sections in fully expanded condition.

4. In a collapsible garment form, a frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending main section extending from the right side to the left side of the form and including a rigid frame part having longitudinally extending laterally spaced elements located at the upper end of the form, a plurality of auxiliary sections carried by said main section and operativley connected thereto for swing ing movement between folded and expanded positions, said auxiliary sections being disposed compactly against said main section when in the former of said positions, and being operative conjointly with said main section to outline the trunk of the human body when in the latter of said positions, one of said auxiliary sections located at he upper end of the form and to the rear of said section being provided with an outer surface conforming in to the upper back area of the human body and being secured directly to said laterally spaced elements at the upper end of the form by coaxially related pivot means, an elongated member carried by said main section and mounted for axial shifting movement relative thereto, said shiftable member being connected to said auxiliary sec tions and being operable to simultaneously swing the same between said folded and expanded positions, and spring means associated with said shiftable member and opera; tive to urge the same into such position relative to said main section as to maintain said auxiliary sections in fully expanded condition.

5. In a collapsible garment form, a frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending open main section extending from the right side to the left side of the fozl r including a rigid open frame part at the upper end of the form, and a pair of transversely extending members the inner ends of which are rigidly secured respectively to said rigid open frame part and the outer ends of which are rigidly secured respectively to the opposite side members of said open main section, said pair of transversely extending members being provided with outer surfaces that conform in shape to the shoulders of the human body, a plurality of auxiliary sections carried by said open main section and operatively connected thereto for swinging movement between folded and expanded positions, said auxiliary sections being disposed compactly against said open main section when in the former of said positions, and being operative conjointly with said open main section to outline the trunk of the human body when in the latter of said positions, one of said auxiliary sections located at the upper end of the form and to the rear of said main section being provided with an outer surface conforming in shape to the upper back area of the human body and being secured directly to the opposite sides of said rigid open frame part respectively by coaxially related pivot means, an elongated member carried by said open main section and mounted for axial shifting movement relative thereto, said shiftably mounted member being connected to said auxiliary sections and being operable to simul taneously swing the same between said folded and expanded positions, and spring means associated with said shiftably mounted member and operative to urge the same into such position relative to said open main section as to maintain said auxiliary sections in fully expanded condition. V

6. In a collapsible garment form, a frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending main section extending from the right side to the left side of the form, a plurality of auxiliary sections carried by said main section and operatively connected thereto for swinging movement between folded and expanded positions, said auxiliary sections being disposed compactly against said main section when in the former of said positions, and being operative conjointly with said main section to outline the trunk of the human body when in the latter of said positions, an elongated member carried by said main section and mounted for axial shifting movement relative thereto, said shiftable member being connected to said auxiliary sections and being operable to simultaneously swing the same between said folded and expanded positions, spring means associated with said shiftable member and operative to urge the same into sucn position relative to said main section as to maintain said auxiliary sections in fully expanded condition, and means operative when said shiftmember is moved against the force of said spring means and said form is collapsed to automatically secure said shiftable member releasably in said shifted position and said form in collapsed condition.

7. In a collapsible garment form, a frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending main section extc from the right side to the left side of the form, a plurality of auxiliary sections carried by said main section and operatively connected thereto for swingrnovemcnt between folded and expanded positions, said auxiliary sections being disposed compactly against said main section when in the former of said positions, and being operative conjointly with said main section to outline the trunk of the human body when in the latter of said positions, an elongated member carried by said main section and mounted for axial shifting movement relative thereto, said shiftable member being connected to said auxiliary sections and being operable to simultaneously swing the same between said folded and expanded positions, spring means associated with said shiftable member and operative to urge the same into such position relative to said main section as to maintain said auxiliary sections in fully expanded condition, means for shifting said member against the force of said spring means, said shifting means being mounted on said main section and being arranged to aiford a mechanical advantage when operated to shift said member, and means operative when said member is shifted as aforesaid to automatically secure said member quick releasably in said shifted position and said form in collapsed condition.

8. In a collapsible garment form, a frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending main section extending from the right side to the left side of the form, a plurality of auxiliary sections carried by said main section and operatively connected thereto for swinging movement between folded and expanded positions, said auxiliary sections being disposed compactly against said main section when in the former of said positions, and being operative conjointly with said main section to outline the trunk of the human body when in the latter of said positions, an elongated member carried by said main section and mounted for axial shifting movement relative thereto, said shiftable member being connected to said auxiliary sections and being operable to simultaneously swing the same between said folded and expanded positions and spring means associated with said shiftable member and operative to urge the same into such position relative to said main section as to maintain said auxiliary sections in fully expanded condition, a lever for shifting said member against the force of said spring means, said lever being pivotally mounted on said main frame section and being arranged to afford a mechanical advantage when operated to shift said member, and a leaf spring anchored to said main section and operative when said member is shifted as aforesaid to automatically move into position to quick releasably arrest said member and to thereby secure said member in said shifted position and said form in collapsed condition.

References fiited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,666,560 Wexler et al Ian. 19, 1954 

